The Chosen One

HE'S BACK!

But Potter beat him again.

Stories throughout the paper gave the few details that were provided by the Ministry of the battle the night before including the death of eight Death Eaters and the capture of three others all by four teenagers. Speculations were made especially when someone mentioned Voldemort had escaped with a blue orb. An old reporter who once had a source in the Ministry of Magic instantly recognized the orb and that it meant a prophecy. A story was quickly formulated about what it might mean. A pretty accurate idea came about and a story was written that Harry Potter was the Chosen One.

Other stories covered Sirius Black. With support from Sirius and Harry, the Minister was able to lay the blame on the previous Minister Millicent Bagnold and Barty Crouch Senior. Minister Fudge and Madam Bones both promised that every prisoner in Azkaban would have their files reviewed for possible other illegal detainings while Madam Bones was also quoted as saying "And then there is Albus Dumbledore who knew Sirius Black was innocent and with his Pensieve, he had the means to prove it. He never once offered the device or the memories to back up his claim."

"Maybe a kip for my old bones," The Headmaster thought as he laid down the newspaper. "It's been a weary day," Dumbledore rose from his desk and had walked three steps toward his private bedroom when the door opened.

"DUMBLEDORE, I have things to discuss with you," The Scottish burr of Minerva McGonagall said angrily. "We can start with that day you left Harry on that doorstep."

Dumbledore sighed wearily as he moved back to his chair and sat down heavily.

Shortly after Minerva left his office after an extremely long tirade, Dumbledore once again rose for an afternoon kip only to have his door open once again.

"The Dark Lord is...displeased," Severus Snape answered the unasked question as he took a seat in front of Dumbledore's desk. Snape could still feel that displeasure coursing through his body. "He lost all twelve Death Eaters who tried to secure the prophecy, eight of whom are dead. That doesn't include his personal embarrassment of publicly losing to Potter," The last word was spat.

"Twelve?" Dumbledore asked. "But Lucius.."

"The Dark Lord accidentally destroyed his mind while punishing him," Snape explained. "Goyle disposed of him in front of his own home. He's alive but his mind is gone."

"Is he sure the others are dead?" Dumbledore asked. "For Harry's sake I'd hate for the deaths of all of those people to be on his conscious."

Snape stared at the Headmaster for a few seconds before replying. "He tried to call them but they never came and you know nothing would prevent Bellatrix from joining her Master. If the Ministry had captured them, they would have been displayed for the world to see like Rookwood and Crabbe were."

Sadness descended on the heart of the Headmaster at the thought of the death of seven men and a woman who could have been shown the error of their ways and brought back to the light. Though he knew they had done evil things, he truly believed all people deserved a chance at remorse. "What is done is done," He replied finally. "I'm sure Harry will suffer from regret and remorse when the shock of what he's done has caught up to him. We must be there for him when it happens."

"The Dark Lord is also angry at having been tricked by Potter and the prophecy," Snape said. "I think he will attempt to retaliate in some way..."

"Against Harry?" Dumbledore asked almost hoping for it to be true. He could take a real threat against Harry to Sirius and he'd have to agree to let Harry return to the Dursleys.

"No," Snape replied confidently. "He's unsure about what has happened twice against Potter and he won't risk a third attack until he is sure he'll win. In fact I am supposed to discover from you if you know what happened to Ollivander."

"Ollivander is gone?"

"Yes it appears so," Severus shrugged. "He seemed to have closed up his store a couple of weeks ago. Voldemort is most eager to question him."

Dumbledore sat back further in his chair and thought of the wandmaker. He actually had been surprised that Voldemort hadn't gone after Ollivander last year when Harry's and his wands had locked. Finally he looked back at his Potions Master. "You can honestly report that I did not even know Ollivander had departed."

"If that was the case I am supposed to determine if you knew what happened when they dueled."

Dumbledore stole a glance over at Fawkes before he answered his Potions Master. "That is something that even if I did know, I'd never allow the information to get back to Voldemort. You can assure him that I never divulged the information in front of you."

"I understand Headmaster," Snape replied. He'd hoped Dumbledore would give him something to take back to Voldemort.

"Was there anything else?" Dumbledore asked.

"No."

"Please keep me informed of any further information you acquire."

"Of course Headmaster," Snape stood from his chair and with his cloak billowing he turned and walked out of Dumbledore's office. As he descended the steps a small twitch that might have been a smile passed over his lips. The Dark Lord had called him his most valuable Death Eater while Dumbledore still considered him his most valuable Order member. "No matter who wins this war, I cannot lose."

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